T60p laptops and clogged heat sinks

[kchung]

I work in a corporate environment where we have many Thinkpads of all models. In the past two months I have serviced five T60p laptops where the users reported one or more of the following:

1) Loud CPU fan
2) Running very hot
3) Random crashing.

The T60p has heat sink design is very different than the T4# series or the R50p. The gaps between the fins are much smaller. The new design is much more prone to accumulate dust and fabric particles in the heat sink.

I removed the palm rest and keyboard from all five systems. Two of the five had moderately dirty CPU fans and heat sinks. The other three were so clogged with dust and debris that light from a flashlight shined from the fan to the outsides of the heatsink vents was barely or not visible at all!

In one instance, a chunk of dust and fiber about 1/8 cubic inch had to be removed with a tweezer!

In all five instances the users reported issues, including the crashes, went away. Because of this, I've recommended to one business group here that has exclusively T60p laptops that the laptops get some preventitive maintenance done ASAP. FYI: These T60ps have been in service about 13-14 months and for the most part are on 7 x 24.

I noted that one othe forum poster has gone so far to clean and re-apply heatsink paste. I think I can get away with clean the heat sink and fan, but removing the heat sink assembly might void the warranty.

Here are some tips you may find useful:

This what I do to clean the CPU fan and heat sink:

WARNING:
• Be careful to not tip canned air too much such that liquid comes out of the can – the excessive cold could damage components. I never use the canned air on the LCD
• Use short bursts of air.
• Keep your face AWAY from CPU fan and heat sink assembly as the cloud of dust and debris can be extensive and nasty. You may be surprised how much dust comes out and how far it will fly.
• If possible, do the cleaning outside of the building.

1) Remove palm rest and keyboard.
2) Gently hold the CPU fan in place to keep it from spinning and use short blasts of air to clean the fins of the fan and to blast dust from the *inside* from the heat sink. .
3) Again while holding the fan, blast the dust from the heat sink using short bursts directed at the vents where the hot air exits the laptop – there is a vent on the left side and one on the rear.
4) Repeat steps 3 and 4. Check for any debris that gets trapped under the fan blades. I’ve used a pair of tooth picks or two very small screw drivers like a tweezers to get these bits of fibrous material out of the fan (looks like bits of fibers from clothing or carpet)

[alacrityathome]

Nice write-up!

You already helped at least one person today with your thread:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 332#380332

Thanks again,

Alacrity

[agarza]

Generally overheating issues have to do with doing this maintenance regularly on your Thinkpad.

I remember also that my T42p used to overheat with time, but with proper heatsink installation and dust-free operation you will have a cool Thinkpad.

[Temetka]

My T60 powered of last night due to overheating during a WoW session.

Today I removed the HSF, re-applied some Arctic Silver, blew out the fan and fins and it's running nice and cool again.

As evidenced by this post, the machine is running smoothly and much cooler.